Presentation to CRD Transportation Committee February 25, 2015 Vancouver Island Rail ISLAND CORRIDOR FOUNDATION 25 February 2015
VANCOUVER ISLAND RAIL CORRIDOR 25 February 2015 Presentation to CRD Transportation Committee 2
Railway Infrastructure Improvement Plan Victoria to Courtenay Track Upgrades Provincial / Federal Total - $20.9M Project 1. MoTI Bridge Assessment $500,000 (Complete 2012) 2. Track Tie Renewal 110,300 ties (25%) - $11.216M 3. Rail Joint Renewal 9000 Pair c/w Fastenings - $0.92M 4. Track Re-Ballast & Surface Complete Line - $2.364M Total Track Improvements = $15M 25 February 2015 Presentation to CRD Transportation Committee 3
Railway Infrastructure Improvement Plan Railway Bridge Improvements 10 Year Passenger Rail 1. Immediate &10 Year Structural and Immediate Bridge Tie Renewal Requirements Regional Districts - $3.115M 2. 10 Year Bridge Tie Renewal Requirements ICF - $2.285M 3. 10 Year Bridge Maintenance SVI - $0.5M Total Bridge Repairs & Improvements = $5.9M 25 February 2015 Presentation to CRD Transportation Committee 4
Funding Commitments / Agreements 1. BC Provincial Government - Track Improvements - $7.5M Premier Clark Public Announcement - June 28, 2011 2. Canadian Federal Government Track Improvements - $7.5M Minister John Duncan Public Announcement - April 10, 2012 3. Regional Districts Bridge Repairs & Improvements - $3.115M - Funding Agreements - 2013 4. VIA Rail Canada Inc. Train Service Agreement 2014 5. Infrastructure Plan & Business Case with Governments since Oct/14 Awaiting signoff 25 February 2015 Presentation to CRD Transportation Committee 5
Reports & Studies 2006 to date MNP Report on E&N Railway - 2005 BC MoTI / IBI Group - Evaluation of the E & N Railway Corridor Foundation Paper 2009 ICF / SVI - Potential for Tourism Service on Vancouver Island - 2009 ICF / SVI Potential for Freight Expansion 2009 SVI The Advantages of Rail vs. Truck Transportation of Coal on Vancouver Island 2010 BC MoTI / Associated Engineering / Benesch Bridge Inspection and Assessment E&N Railway, Vancouver Island, BC, Canada 2012 Island Explorer Excursion Train Feasibility Study SVI - Sept/2014 25 February 2015 Presentation to CRD Transportation Committee 6
VIA Rail Passenger Service 25 February 2015 Presentation to CRD Transportation Committee 7
VIA Rail Train Service Agreement Key Elements Provided by VIA Rail Canada Inc.: Deficit Funding $1.45M (Year 1) Liability Insurance Refurbished Bike-Friendly Rail Cars Improved Serviced Based in Nanaimo Local control of schedule and service - (SVI/ICF) Revenue / Ridership Risk with Operator (SVI): Need to Respond to Market Demand and Optimum Business Model Inter-operability with other transportation modes eg. bus / ferry Key Connections Courtenay > Powell River > Campbell River Qualicum Beach > Port Alberni > Tofino / Ucluelet 25 February 2015 Presentation to CRD Transportation Committee 8
VIA Rail Inter-City Service Initial Schedule / Phased Opening: 1. Nanaimo Victoria Return Twice Daily Nanaimo Departures 6:30 &12:00 / Victoria Departures 9:15 & 2:45 2. Service to Qualicum Beach Wednesdays & Weekends 3. Service to Courtenay Weekends & Stat. Holidays 4. Victoria Terminus Station(s) to be finalized 25 February 2015 Presentation to CRD Transportation Committee 9
Freight Opportunities Freight Business (to 2014) Freight Corridor - Duncan to Parksville Approximately 800 railcar loads per year Top Customers (by volume) Superior Propane (Nanaimo), Top Shelf Feeds (Duncan), Catalyst Paper (Latex Transload to Port Alberni) Other Customers Parksville -National Silicates / Courtenay -Northern Pressure Treated Wood Products, Stella-Jones Transload established in Wellcox Yard to access non-rail served customers on Vancouver Island 25 February 2015 Presentation to CRD Transportation Committee 10
Freight Rail North American Market Connections 25 February 2015 Presentation to CRD Transportation Committee 11
Freight Rail - North American Connections 25 February 2015 Presentation to CRD Transportation Committee 12
Cruise Ship / Excursion Rail 25 February 2015 Presentation to CRD Transportation Committee 13
Tourism / Excursion Rail Island Explorer Feasibility Study Conclusions Feasible / Positive Bottom Line Dual Purpose Positive synergy with Nanaimo Cruise Ship Calls Island Local Rolling Special Events Break-even 15 Excursion / Events per season High quality hospitality service Local Themed events Excess capacity ie. add more equipment (coaches) Synergy with Island businesses / communities / tourism 25 February 2015 Presentation to CRD Transportation Committee 14
Tourism / Excursion Rail 25 February 2015 Presentation to CRD Transportation Committee 15
Tourism / Excursion Rail (cont d) 25 February 2015 Presentation to CRD Transportation Committee 16
APR Port Alberni Steam Excursion Successful Model 7 miles of track within City of Port Alberni to McLean Mill National Historic Site 1929 "Baldwin" steam train In 2014, over 7,000 people rode the train Hosting Special Events; Wine Tours, Beaufort Gang Train Robbery, Teddy Bear Picnics, Thunder in the Valley, Weddings, and Fall Leaves Tour 25 February 2015 Presentation to CRD Transportation Committee 17
Potential Commuter Services As developed by CRD / Western Communities Westhills > Langford > Victoria Travel time 20 min. Dedicated purpose train / passenger cars Push / Pull operation possible Quick turn around 25 February 2015 Presentation to CRD Transportation Committee 18
Potential Commuter Services 25 February 2015 Presentation to CRD Transportation Committee 19
Limited Commuter Service Potential 3 Runs AM & PM Proponents to provide additional infrastructure requirements and operational costs Detailed assessment needs to be undertaken by proponents 25 February 2015 Presentation to CRD Transportation Committee 20
Historic Stations Heritage Canada Restoration & Development Courtenay Alberni Qualicum Nanaimo Duncan Nanaimo Train Station 25 February 2015 Presentation to CRD Transportation Committee 21
Historic Stations Restoration & Development Nanaimo Station - Built in 1920, destroyed by fire in 2007 - Renovated in 2012 at a cost of $2.4M - Heritage décor throughout building - Heritage BC Award of Honor & VIREB Award of Excellence - Anchor tenant Fibber McGee's Restaurant - Area for ticket and luggage Courtenay Station - Built in 1914 - Partially renovated in 2013 with support of Rotary Group - New roof, siding, windows, gutters, paint and more (Further renovations to come in 2015) 25 February 2015 Presentation to CRD Transportation Committee 22
Rail Trail Development Synergy with rail bike friendly cars Trail linkage with Trans Canada Trail, Spine and E & N Rail trail to link up all areas To date, the Capital Regional District, Cowichan Valley Regional District, Regional District of Nanaimo, and City of Courtenay have all completed some rail with trail. The guidelines address all aspects of trail development and establish rural, suburban and urban design guidelines. 25 February 2015 Presentation to CRD Transportation Committee 23
Rail Trail Development 25 February 2015 Presentation to CRD Transportation Committee 24